Pretrial Services Programs

GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION

Merrimack County Pretrial Services is in the 15th year of Operation

National Pretrial Services was established in July 1978.

In 1998 the Merrimack County Attorney’s Office began to research how the program might benefit the County with regard to budgetary savings as well as assisting the County Jail with overpopulation of low risk offenders.

On July 09, 2000, MERRIMACK COUNTY PRETRIAL SERVICES was established with the first client enrolling for supervision.

Since that day (as of 12/31/14) 4,578 individuals charged with varying levels of crimes have participated in the Merrimack County pretrial release program.

1. An average of 26% of all jail interviews enrolled in MCPTS in 2014.

SAVINGS:

The County reports the “Full or Actual Cost” to incarcerate a single inmate for a year to be approximately $55,115.00 or $151.00 per day.

In 2014, MCPTS recorded 39,505 client supervision days totaling $5,965,255.00 savings to the county.

Court Appearances and Testimony at Arraignments and Revocation Hearings

Pretrial Services has an operating staff of 6 officers, the Director, three (3) Case Managers, one (1) Jail / Court Liaison officer and an officer assigned to field investigations.

Case managers and the Field Investigator are deputized sheriffs with arrest authority.

Master Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor Referrals

Referrals Purpose is to make an assessment of the presence of substance abuse disorder.

The Court may order a defendant in a screening to determine the presence of a substance use disorder, and make appropriate recommendations and referrals for treatment. The client is court ordered to follow all LADC recommendations.

Although the screening involves assessing the presence of a substance use disorder, it is not to be confused with a full biopsychosocial Substance Evaluation.

Screening may consists of:

Clinical Interview

MAST / DAST: Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test

ASAM Patient Placement Criteria

Collateral information obtained through other sources

After the screening, referrals and/or recommendations are made by the LADC, clients are then monitored for compliance by Pretrial Services Staff.

ANGER MANAGEMENT BATTERERS INTERVENTION

Referrals

The court may order that a defendant be screened for Anger Management/Batterers Intervention and follow all recommendations thereof.

The counselor contact information is provided at the client’s initial intake interview, it is the responsibility of the client to call and make an appointment for an Anger Screening. Note: small fee is paid by the client.

The recommendations of the Clinician are strictly monitored for client compliance. Case Manager’s reports to the court, prosecution, and defense attorneys client progress.